The Eastern Shore of Virginia consists of two counties (Accomack County, Virginia and Northampton County, Virginia) on the Atlantic coast of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. The region is part of the Delmarva Peninsula and is separated from the rest of Virginia by the Chesapeake Bay.
The Eastern Shore of Maryland is composed of the state's nine counties east of the Chesapeake Bay. They are Caroline County, Cecil County, Dorchester County, Kent County, Queen Anne's County, Somerset County, Talbot County, Wicomico County, Worcester County.
Youth basketball sign-up, practice set
The Accomack County Parks and Recreation is still accepting youth basketball registration. The last day to sign up is Jan. 7 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Nandua High School.
Practice and registration schedule for Jan. 7 at Nandua is as follows: Youth ages 6-8 - 9 to 10:30 a.m.; Youth ages 9-12 - 10:30 a.m. to noon; Youth ages 13-15 - noon-1:30 p.m.
For additional information, call the Parks and Recreation office at 757-787-3900 or 757-824-0314.
40 and over hoop league forming
The Accomack County Parks and Recreation Department is now accepting teams for its 40 and over basketball league.
For more information call 757-787-3900 or 757-824-0314.
Island youth plan basketball sign-ups
The Chincoteague High School Athletic Boosters will be holding sign-ups for the upcoming Youth Basketball League season.
Anyone age 5-15 interested in signing up may do so at the Hampton Inn from now until Dec. 20 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The cost is $30 for the first child and $10 for each sibling.
Will update as events become available!
Ocean City Winter Basketball Continues
By Shawn J. Soper
The Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department’s winter boys’ basketball league continued this week with a full slate of games at Northside Park. The following is a quick look at some of this week’s action:
Red Sun 59- Ocean City FOP 45: Josh Mercer led Red Sun with 22 points, while Marcus Pitts added 14. Joey Turcol scored 17 for the FOP in the loss, while Tyler Dean pitched in 10 points.
Atlantic General 29- Shenanigans 12: Tyree Henry scored nine points and Sonny Furst added six to lead AGH over Shenanigans. Tate Shockley led Shenanigans with six points.
Atlantic Physical Therapy 49- OC Rec Boosters 45: Brian Ford scored 15, Adriano Almony scored 12 and Khaleed Collick added nine as APT edged the Boosters. Dallas Harrington and James Furst each scored nine points for the Boosters, while Avery Golden pitched in eight.
Elks Lodge 23- PNC Bank 12: Jordon Harper led all scorers with eight points, while Adison Brown scored six for the Elks. Gavin McVicker led PNC with six points.
Park Place Jewelers 36- OC Parrotheads 17: Colton Edmunds went off for 23 of his team’s 36 points while Kevin Beck added 10. Wyatt Davis led the Parrotheads with six points.
OC-Berlin Optimists 33- Bahia Marina 26: Matt Kinsey led the Optimists with 23 points, while Will Davis added four. Padraig Loftus led Bahia Marina with 12 points, while Garrett Peterson pitched in six.
Belair Road Supply 45- Fresco’s 22: Belair Road Supply got 21 points from Matt Kristic and 11 from Mike Tropkoff to help double up Fresco’s. Jeff Dennis led Fresco’s with 11 points, while Thomas Dibuo added nine.
OC Rec Boosters 40- Rox Weddings and Events 18: Garrett Tinus scored 15 points, Alex Cushwa added 14 and Khaleel Collick pitched in six to lead the Boosters over Rox. Dylan Brous led Rox with 11 points while Kenny Kerns pitched in six.
OC Rec Boosters 46- Bonfire Restaurant 33: Aaron Moore and Jordan Copes each scored 14 points and Sean Boyle added 10 as the Boosters topped the Bonfire. Brandon Storm led all scorers with 19 points for the Bonfire in the loss, while John Lewis and Ryan McGuire each scored five.
American Legion 9- OC-Berlin Optimists 8: In a low scoring game, Willem Lambertson led the Legion with nine points and Dante Clubb led the Optimists with seven.
Dr. William Allen 25- Raven’s Roost 17: Mitchell McGee led all scorers with 10 points for Dr. Allen’s team while Mark Smith added four and Hunter Gross added three. Matt Ford led the Ravens Roost with six points.
OC Rec Boosters 18- Fager’s Island 13: Mikail Beja led the Boosters with eight points while Tristan McDonough and Jonathan Petito each scored four for the Boosters. Sam Edmunds led Fager’s with six points.
Pocomoke to hold 'Ponk Out' on Tuesday
The Pocomoke boys and girls basketball teams will be hosting a Pink Out Event on Tuesday, Jan. 31. The JV boys will play at 4 p.m., the boys will play at 5:30 p.m. and the girls will play at 7 p.m. Activities at the event include an art contest, a paper airplane contest and free face painting. All fans wearing pink will get a free popcorn and all money raised will be donated to Women Supporting Women and the Canine Cancer Foundation.
Free youth basketball clinics
A Trojan Pride basketball clinic, offered at no cost to middle school boys and girls, will be held Saturday, Jan. 21 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Kent County High School. Former high school coach Pat McClary, who founded and heads the Shoremen Basketball Club, is the lead clinician. Current high school players assist him.
Free clinics will continue on Saturdays through Feb. 11, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Community Center in Worton. The emphasis is on fundamentals, with time set aside for contests and games. For more information, contact Rick Coffin of Kent County Parks and Recreation at 410-778-1948.
Maryland Rise Showdown
March 24 -25, 2012
Well Organized Pool Play Basketball Tournament. DJ on site for all games, Great Competition, Nice Gym Location, Individual Awards For 1st Place, Games will run as scheduled. Register EARLY for discounts on website under Events.
Invitation: Boys, 4th - 12th grade
Location: Princess Anne, MD
Host Club: RBA Thoroughbreds
Cost: $200
Contact: Danny Lamb
Address: 628 East Main Street, Fruitland, MD
Email: risehoops11_yahoo.com
Website: www.teamthoroughbred.com
Phone: 443-359-0851
Thanksgiving hoops play returning to Eastville
Nov. 2, 2011
For the past 20 years teams from up and down the East Coast have traveled to the Eastern Shore to play in the Thanksgiving Basketball Tournament, during the weekend of Thanksgiving.
"It amazes me to still see the excitement that this tournament brings to people every year, from the phone calls I receive, to the e-mails and Facebook messages" said Roderick Bell, who took over hosting the tournament in 2005.
This tournament was started by Cornell Ruffin and Larry Giddens. It started in 1991 and was held on Friday night and all day Saturday, sometimes running to early Sunday morning at 2 a.m. Ruffin and Giddens stayed there for the entire tournament.
The reasons why it was held for two days is because they had several teams from the Tidewater Region, North Carolina, Delaware and New Jersey.
The tournament first started out as different churches playing against each other. Ruffins' ultimate goal was to continue fellowship with the young black males that were in church. His goal was also Kingdom building as he would always have an encouraging message concerning God during the tournament. He received criticism from some locals, because they were telling him, "it would not work, you can not get a bunch of young kids together and something not happening." However, as history shows, this tournament has been going on for 20 years. Ruffin knew that he had to take the Word of God from among the church pulpit and reach the people where they were at.
By providing this type of event he accomplished giving the people the Word of God as well as allowing the Eastern Shore to have an activity that would draw all cultural backgrounds in a common fellowship through sports.
In 2005 Ruffin and Giddens handed the torch over to Roderick Bell, who played in the tournament since it started, and has won the tournament three times (twice as a player and once as a player-coach).
The tournament continues to be a huge success. The tournament started out at the Northampton Middle School, however due to it's growth in attendance, the tournament is now being played at the Northampton High School.
"I am not saying it has all been easy," said Bell. "In 20 years we have had only one or two incidents. The most challenging thing I am having with the tournament now is finding local sponsors who are willing to help sponsor the event."
The tournament is not a money making event, and whatever cost that entry fees do not cover (i.e. rental of facility and cleaning of the facility, paying referees, paying for security, purchasing trophies, and purchasing insurance) Bell, usually pays out of his pocket.
"If this is what I have to do to keep this tournament going, then that is what I will do," says Bell.
Contact Roderick Bell via Facebook or at rbell1906_gmail.com, if your team would like to participate. Only eight teams will be included in this year's event. The cost per team is $150, which is due by Nov. 16.
This is building up to be one of the biggest Thanksgiving Tournaments. Everyone is aiming to win the 20th one.
The event is open to the public. The cost of $4 per person will be charged at the door with kids under three admitted free.
Bell is planning to recognize the founders of the tournament during this event. -- www.delmarvanow.com
Roderick Bell is also an assistant coach for the Wilmington Sea Dawgs - a professional basketball team that competes in the Continental Basketball League. The team is headquartered in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Roderick Bell is a native of the Eastern Shore of Va. He is a graduate of Norfolk State University, where he attended on a track scholarship, where he ran the 100m, 200m, High Jump, Long Jump and Triple Jump. During his stint of his career at Norfolk State University, Coach Bell finish 3rd in the CIAA conference for three consecutive years in the High Jump (6'-8") all while standing only 5'-10". Coach Bell also had a short tryout with the Baltimore Ravens for Wide Receiver and Punt returner back in 1996, however due to injury, it was cut short. "When you run a 4.28 40yd dash, scouts tend to want you for those positions", said Coach Bell.
This is coach Bell's 4th year with the Wilmington Seadawgs. Coach Bell brings leadership, knowledge and skill. "Basketball was always my first love. I was an All District, Region and State player in all three sports that I played in high school (Football, Basketball and Track), but basketball was my first love", said Coach Bell.
Coach Bell in his free time host different Street Ball and Basketball tournaments throughout Virginia. Coach Bell currently works for GE (General Electric), prior to that he was a Project Manager for a construction company, where some of his projects that he was responsible for were the World War II Memorial and Capitol Visitor Center in Washington DC, Hospitals in Concord NC and Wilmington NC. Coach Bell is also in the Army National Guard, where he has served for over 19 ½ years. Coach Bell has a BS Degree from Norfolk State University in Building Construction Management and an MBA from Grantham University.
(bio courtesy www.goseadawgs.com )
2011 Results
El Swagga wins Thanksgiving tournament
The 20th Annual Thanksgiving Basketball Tournament was held this past weekend at Northampton High School. Twenty years later after this tournament was first started, the excitement was high as ever and lived up to the expectations and excitement that everyone had hoped.
Some of the notable highlights were numerous dunks by Marquie Christian along with a 32-point game in the semi- finals, and a 28-point game by Eddie Miller from El Swagga in the championship game.
The tournament consisted of eight teams with the final two teams, El Swagga from Maryland and The Virginia Ballers meeting in the championship game.
El Swagga, came into the championship game with no losses, while the Ballers had to fight their way out of the losers brackets to get to the championship.
The championship game started out quick for El Swagga with Eddie Miller scoring the first 11 points of the game.
The Ballers fought their way back with three 3-pointers by Rontae Coston to take the lead with 11 minutes left in the second half, but proved to be short lived. Coach Ty Savage from El Swagga called a time out to get his team back on track and they never looked back. With a tough defensive stance by Davven Miller, El Swagga caused the Virginia Ballers to turn the ball over three times in two minutes giving the momentum to El Swagga to close out the game.
Eddie Miller was named the MVP, with consistent play throughout the tournament and scoring El Swagga's first 11 points in the championship game, finishing with 28 points for the game.
"This tournament has got to the point where everyone looks forward to this every year. My job now is to make it bigger and better," said Bell.
It's Governor's Challenge time once again
Written by Earl Holland
IF YOU GO: GOVERNOR'S CUP CHALLENGE
WHEN: Dec. 27-30
WHERE: Wicomico Youth & Civic Center
COST: $10 per day for adults, $5 per day for students (with ID)
INFO: www.salisburychampionship.org
High school basketball teams from Delaware and Maryland are scheduled to meet in a competition for bragging rights once again this holiday season.
The Governor's Cup Challenge returns to the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center from Tuesday, Dec. 27, to Friday, Dec. 30. The four-day event will feature more than 35 schools from various areas of the Old Line and First states.
"The tournament has come a long way since the beginning," said Wicomico head coach Butch Waller, whose Indians will play Bowie and Baltimore Polytechnic during the tournament. "I have nine new players on the team who have never experienced something like this, and they are looking forward to it. It's an event that fills the void over Christmas time as Wicomico County schools are closed for 11 days."
The exhibition, which has evolved from the Lions Club Christmas Tournament and the NHSCA High School Basketball Festival, started a new chapter in its history last year as governors Martin O'Malley of Maryland and Jack Markell of Delaware made a friendly wager between the two states. If Maryland won, then O'Malley would receive a Delaware Peach Pie, but if the First State were to win, Markell would get a Smith Island Cake.
Markell was able to have his cake and eat it too as Delaware won the Governor's Cup by an overwhelming 13-5 margin.
This year's Challenge will feature three different competitions: The M&T Bank Cup, featuring the Delaware vs. Maryland format; the Dr. Pepper 10 Cup, centering on matchups within Maryland; and the "East Coast Challenge" featuring four of the region's top hoops programs, including Dunbar, Norfolk Christian, Red Lion Christian and St. John's College High School.
The East Coast Challenge Championship will be determined on Friday, Dec. 30.
A special part of the event is that two games are played simultaneously on two side-by-side courts in the Normandy Arena.
Waller said the event will be a hoops fan's dream.
"With the two floors there's constant basketball, meaning when one game ends another one's beginning," he said. "If you like basketball, it'll be like an all-day carnival."
Tickets will be sold at the door and are $10 for adults and $5 for students with an ID.
Governor's Challenge 'East Coast' bracket stacked
Written by Shawn Nisson
The Governor's Challenge basketball tournament has been known to bring in some of the Mid-Atlantic region's top teams, and this year is no different.
The boy's basketball teams from Red Lion Christian Academy in Delaware, St. Johns College high school, Paul Laurence Dunbar high school, and the nationally ranked St. Frances Academy squad will all hit the courts inside of the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center this week.
This bracket of the tournament called 'The East Coast Challenge' will start play Wednesday at 8 p.m., with the winner of the group being crowned during the final spotlight game on Friday.
Tom Purse, the head coach of Red Lion, said his 5-1 team is very excited to have the opportunity to play in the tournament.
"This will be our first year in the tournament, we've been trying to get in to it for years and this year we were finally able to work it out and get in," said Purse. "Our kids are really excited about playing, like I said we've been trying to get into this tournament for years, so we are really looking forward to it."
Purse said he is looking forward to seeing how his players react to such a compact schedule, as the Lions will play three games in three days.
"It's going to be pretty difficult," said Purse. "We're not as deep as we were last year, so it will be difficult to play multiple days in a row. But I'm confident that we will be ready and our kids will be ready to play."
While playing on three consecutive days will be tough, teams from around the area love to come to this tournament because of the chance to play unfamiliar opponents.
"Teams that you play against in this tournament are different from the norm that we normally go up against," said Cyrus Jones, head coach at Dunbar. "Teams that play us are familiar with our style, they know how we play and we are also familiar with how they play and their style and all their personel. So playing in this tournament gives you a different look, it allows kids to approach games differently. While at the same time it gives you a chance to get away from home but still stay in the state of Maryland."
This will be the third time Dunbar has come to Salisbury to play in the holiday tournament, and Jones said his players have loved the experience in the past.
"The past two teams that I brought they really, really enjoyed the experience," said Jones. "It gives them the opportunity to play against some future Division I talent who are being highly recruited and just different competition. What you try to do as a coach is try to expose your players to as many different experiences as you can, and this tournament does a good job of that."
The Governor's Challenge is open to the public for daily admission. Students (with ID) are $5 while adults are $10.
2011 Governor's Challenge Scores
December 31st
BOWIE 68, WICOMICO 53
THOMAS STONE 67, JAMES M. BENNETT 51
STEPHEN DECATUR 51, WOODBRIDGE 35
NORTH DORCHESTER 54, DELMARVA CHRISTIAN 38
SUSSEX CENTRAL 50, ARCADIA 44
EASTON 69, FRIENDLY 63 (2OT)
QUEEN ANNE'S 60, MILFORD 58
SEAFORD 64, PARKSIDE 61
JAMES M. BENNETT 60, FRIENDLY 51
THOMAS STONE 56, BOWIE 54
ST. FRANCES 61, RED LION 57
DUNBAR 42, ST. JOHNS 36
December 30th
SUSSEX TECH 64, CRISFIELD 51
CAMPUS COMMUNITY 69, NORTH CAROLINE 60
COLONEL RICHARDSON 47, WOODBRIDGE 37
CAPE HENLOPEN 60, FAIRMONT HEIGHTS 52
J.H. BLAKE 56, C.H. FLOWERS 48
BALTIMORE POLYTECH 55, WICOMICO 52
RED LION 83, ST. JOHNS 79 (2OT)
DUNBAR 49, ST. FRANCES 48
December 29th
QUEEN ANNE'S 72, INDIAN RIVER 35
DELMAR 42, KENT ISLAND 36
MILFORD 66, SURRATTSVILLE 64
SUSSEX CENTRAL 58, STEPHEN DECATUR 54
WASHINGTON 74, LAUREL 65
J.H. BLAKE 68, BALTIMORE POLYTECH 65
EASTON 66, C.H. FLOWERS 62
December 28th
ARCADIA 77, NORTH CAROLINE 47
COLONEL RICHARDSON 55, CAMPUS COMMUNITY 45
KENT ISLAND 52. DELMARVA CHRISTIAN 31
SALVATION ARMY YOUTH CLUB
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